Transferring vegetable oil from cans or drums into a weighing metering system requires a solution that draws cleanly, quietly, and at the correct dose — no tilting containers, no spills, no oil contamination. The right fit is a sealless SS316 drum pump (submersible pump) from Finish Thompson (USA): immerse directly into the can, draw from the bottom, and deliver oil steadily to the metering scale.
This article compares two SS316 drum pump configurations commonly used for vegetable oil — SFS (FDA-grade materials, sanitary tri-clamp) and EFS (economy version, fits standard cans) — and how to choose based on your sanitary certification requirements.
- ~50 cPtypical vegetable oil viscosity
- SS316sealless — FDA-grade materials (SFS version)
- 2 optionsSFS (sanitary) · EFS (economy)
Problem Statement: Transferring Vegetable Oil into a Metering System
In food filling and manufacturing operations, vegetable oil is typically transferred from ~18–20 L cans (opening ~50 mm) or drums into a tank or weighing metering system. Typical parameters and operational requirements:
- Viscosity ~50 cP, low required head (approximately 2 m), temperature 30–40 °C, power supply 220 VAC.
- Draw from the bottom of the can to maximize oil utilization and reduce waste.
- Deliver oil smoothly so the weighing system reads stably and doses accurately.
- Clean contact surfaces, easy to sanitize — food-safe.
Why Choose a Sealless SS316 Drum Pump
- Sealless — no mechanical seal: eliminates the seal at the fluid contact zone, preventing oil contamination, reducing leak risk, and minimizing maintenance.
- SS316 / FDA-grade materials: inert, corrosion-resistant, suitable for food contact, and easy to clean.
- Adequate capacity, quiet operation: at ~2 m head and vegetable oil viscosity, both SFS and EFS operate well within their performance range → stable feed to the metering scale.
Two Options: SFS (FDA) or EFS (Economy)
Both are sealless drum pumps with SS316 wetted materials; they differ in material certification, tube size, and operating range.
| Criteria | SFS — Sanitary Version (FDA) | EFS — Economy Version |
|---|---|---|
| Wetted Materials | SS316 meeting FDA + sanitary tri-clamp | SS316 (food-contact safe) |
| Tube End / Dimensions | Ø~41 mm — fits can opening | 16″ tube (~40.6 cm) · Ø~32 mm — fits through ~50 mm opening |
| Maximum Head | up to ~15–25 m | up to ~6.1 m |
| Maximum Viscosity | up to ~1200 cP | up to ~300 cP |
| Suitable When | Food-contact material certification is mandatory | Priority is fitting the can opening + cost-effectiveness, FDA not required |
Flexible Motor Options — Choose Variable Speed for Metering
The pump tube and motor are separate, connected via a quick-release coupling — choose the motor to suit your needs and swap it later without replacing the entire pump:
- 230V electric — 2-speed or stepless variable speed (standard for 220V supply, smooth metering).
- Variable-speed pneumatic — for flammable environments, reduces fire risk; ATEX-rated version available for explosion-proof requirements.
- Cordless (lithium battery) — portable, no power outlet needed.
Deployment & Test Run with Sample Cans
To confirm the exact configuration, a test run with actual sample cans is recommended:
- Cut the tube to the can height (or use the 16″ tube) so the suction end reaches the bottom.
- Install a level/weight sensor to stop at the correct dose.
- Select a variable-speed motor for smooth metering.
- Selected EF/SF SS316 drum pump configurations are in stock at TKT’s warehouse (Ho Chi Minh City) — fast delivery for immediate testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of pump should be used to transfer vegetable oil from drums or cans?
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A sealless SS316 drum pump (submersible pump) is recommended — immerse directly into the can or drum, draw from the bottom, no need to tilt the container. For vegetable oil (viscosity ~50 cP, low head), both the Finish Thompson SFS (FDA-grade) and EFS (economy) operate well within their performance range, delivering smooth and stable flow to the weighing metering system.
How do SFS and EFS differ when pumping vegetable oil?
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The SFS is an SS316 version meeting FDA material requirements, with a sanitary tri-clamp connection, head up to ~15–25 m and viscosity up to 1200 cP — suitable when food-contact certification is mandatory. The EFS is an economy SS316 version, 16″ tube fits standard cans, tube diameter Ø~32 mm fits through ~50 mm can openings, head up to 6.1 m — suitable when fitting the can opening and cost-effectiveness are the priority.
Does the pump meet food-contact standards (FDA)?
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The SFS version uses wetted materials meeting FDA requirements and sanitary-grade SS316/316L, with a tri-clamp connection for easy disassembly and cleaning — per Finish Thompson technical documentation. If the food or pharmaceutical industry mandates food-contact material certification, the SFS configuration should be selected.
How can vegetable oil be metered smoothly and accurately into a weighing system?
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Select a variable-speed (stepless) motor to regulate flow rate as the target weight is approached, combined with a level/weight sensor to stop at the correct dose. The pump tube and motor are separate via a quick-release coupling, so the motor (electric/pneumatic/battery) can be swapped later without replacing the entire pump.
Can the pump draw from the bottom of the can?
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Yes. The drum pump is designed to draw from the bottom of the can or drum, maximizing oil utilization and reducing waste. During test runs, TKT technicians cut the tube to the can height (or select the 16″ tube) so the suction end reaches the bottom.
Is stock available in Vietnam, and can a test run be arranged?
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Selected EF/SF SS316 drum pump configurations are in stock at TKT’s warehouse (Ho Chi Minh City) and can be delivered quickly for testing with sample cans. Thái Khương Pumps is the authorized representative of Finish Thompson (USA) in Vietnam since 06/2022 — with manufacturer warranty, spare parts, and genuine technical support.
Need to transfer or meter vegetable oil from cans or drums? Send your oil specifications, can dimensions, and certification requirements — Thái Khương Pumps engineers will recommend the appropriate SFS or EFS configuration, along with the original Finish Thompson datasheet.
Request a Quotation or hotline 0941.400.488
See also: All drum pumps · FDA-compliant drum pumps for food & pharmaceutical · How to choose the right drum pump
